Description
This Slow Cooker Italian Beef Stew recipe offers a hearty and comforting meal with tender beef and savory vegetables, seasoned with Italian herbs. Its simple preparation in a slow cooker makes it an effortless and flavorful dish, perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 medium carrots, sliced
- 3 medium potatoes, diced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the beef chunks with salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches for 4-5 minutes per side (optional step for enhanced flavor).
- Place chopped carrots, diced potatoes, and chopped onion in the slow cooker. Layer the browned beef on top.
- Sprinkle minced garlic, dried Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes over the beef and vegetables.
- Pour beef broth and undrained diced tomatoes into the slow cooker, ensuring all ingredients are coated.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
- Stir occasionally if your slow cooker allows, to combine flavors.
- Check beef for tenderness and vegetables for desired doneness after cooking.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed before serving.
- Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
- For a more intense flavor, consider browning the beef before adding it to the slow cooker.
- This stew can be made ahead of time; flavors deepen overnight.
- Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- To thicken the stew, add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water) in the last hour of cooking, or mash some potatoes against the side of the cooker.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-8 hours
- Category: Stew
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Fiber: N/A
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: N/A